Pleasant conditions today for unstacking boats, seeing old friends, tying knots, and trying to feel like we're ready for the upcoming ordeal.  We dodged a couple of brief afternoon showers, but as you can see from the attached pictures, it was mostly sunny, mid-80s.  The wind is fairly fresh, NNE at about 15, gusts to 20.  That will make for a tough couple of first days, but the guys are definitely excited - everyone is.  Its like I'm standing in a yard full of hunting dogs that know they're about to be set loose.

The boats unstacked well, and we've got the mast stepped, spinnaker pole on, and most of the rigging done.  We went through the safety equipment checklist again, and both GPSs are programmed - we'll review navigation for the first leg again tomorrow during the weather brief.  Nigel and Alex are in high spirits, and spent the afternoon entertaining a couple of our friends who have been so generous in helping us get ready for the event. Preparations for the Tommy Bahama welcome party are proceeding smoothly, and we expect a good turnout tomorrow evening after the skippers meeting under the TB Tent.

Tommy sent a limo around to fetch us for dinner this evening - he's so considerate.  I wish I'd had the camera on me when it pulled up to the hotel and we all clambered aboard.  At least all the floral-patterned shirts go well here in South Beach - we almost look like locals!

We all wish you were here instead of "virtually" here - talk to you soon.    --------      John 

The Tommy Bahama Sailing Team lit up South Beach on Saturday night with a welcome party for the Worrell 1000 competitors - a steel drum band plinked out island tunes while Chef Doug, a J24 sailor and chef at TB's Naples, Florida location, grilled up burgers and hot dogs for everyone.  The free beer and relaxed atmosphere kicked off the whole event nicely, and Julia Jackson of Tommy Bahama's corporate office in Naples was a terrific hostess.  Alex was a little nervous with other teams inspecting, scrutinizing and pulling on the Tommy boat - but the general consensus was that this team has put together a hot race boat.

After the party, Tommy sent a car for his Sailing Team, and we did South Beach in style, watching the infectious abandon of the crowd at the salsa-meringue bar, Mangos, and enjoying the company of Switzerland's contribution to the team, the accidental tourist, Janet.

The wind continued to be out of the NE at 16 to 22 all day - it seemed to lay down a little bit in the early evening, but we expect a fair-sized surf and waves for tomorrow's 3 PM start.

More later    ---------     John